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Dan’s Daily: Will Crosby/NHL Go to Olympics? Little Verszyla Gets #1 on Sportscenter

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NHL trade rumors, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Marc-Andre Fleury

LAS VEGAS — It has become absolutely obvious which team will win the Round Two series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, even more so than the Montreal-Winnipeg series, which is 3-0. Hint, it’s not the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche. The National Hockey Now network has the playoffs covered. The NHL and IIHF missed the deadline but are still working on getting Sidney Crosby (and a few Pittsburgh Penguins) and NHL players a chance to represent their country in the Olympics.

But first, a nod to our former compatriot, now WTAE weatherman, Jeff Verszyla, and family. Jeff’s son was the No. 1 play on Sportscenter’s Top 10. Watch this wickedness:

I don’t know why, but I cannot view the Top 10 Sportscenter plays. It says not available in my country. I mean, I know Las Vegas is different, but?? Here’s the proud papa’s tweet:

 

Stick tap, Verszylas!

NHL & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet Video: The NHL and IIHF missed their target deadline but are still working on getting NHL players into the 2022 Olympics. 

I like the amateur Olympics. I love watching people get their big shot in the Olympics, but nothing in this sports world is amateur anymore, is it?

Now the playoffs. Playoffs?!

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche are in a bad way. The Vegas Golden Knights have absolutely smoked them over most of the last eight periods. The Avalanche held a team meeting. And Adrian Dater put the boots to them–Avalanche all talk, no action. 

The series is now tied 2-2, and the Avalanche are a power-play goal away from being down 3-1.

Vegas: Jonathan Marchessault had the hatty in Game 4. The quick hits from the Vegas side. This has been total domination for most of three games. 

I’m in Vegas covering the series. If it looks like a beatdown on TV, it’s worse in person. Colorado looks physically overmatched. Fleury was a bit shaky, but he faced only 38 shots in the last two games combined.

Boston: Is Bruce Cassidy working the officials for Game 4? Are the New York Islanders getting away with a ton of penalties and drawing more by being the instigators? (Yes). The Boston Bruins and fans are now getting a taste of it, too. 

Also–Sidney Crosby wasn’t selected, but Patrice Bergeon earned his record-setting 10th straight Selke nomination. 

NYI: Mathew Barzal is (finally) finding his stride in the playoffs. Our boys in New York are getting a bit giddy. 

Detroit: The Red Wings were well represented at the World Championships. Canada won gold. And one Red Wings prospect shined brightly. Maybe Detroit won’t be in the cellar much longer. 

San Jose: So…how tough is it to draft a Hall of Famer with the seventh overall pick?

Philly: Ian Laperriere is the new head coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

TSN: Ole! Ole! Ole!  500 fans crashed the Bell Centre in Montreal after the Montreal Canadiens took a 3-0 series lead by soundly beating the Winnipeg Jets.

Yes yes, I enjoy the Montreal chant, the fanbase, and the history of that franchise. Don’t you? All of the charm and nostalgia of the Yankees, without the obnoxious payroll advantage.

The Pittsburgh Penguins fanbase needs to come up with a few more traditions. The day of the superstars will end, but Pittsburgh doesn’t have an anthem tradition, a chant, anything to toss on the ice, nor historical weapons to fire. All we have is a dead emperor Penguin who couldn’t skate.

A good scoop on the Penguins trade hopes this offseason is coming up later today. Check back.